AP Physics 1 AP物理1
📌 Course at a glance
· 8 units · key topics drilled across the official outline
· Next exam: 2026-05-05 · 2026-05-05
📝 Full chapter-by-chapter lecture walkthroughs are being written. This page is the course outline — every unit and topic that will be covered, with key concepts you can already start to recognise. Use it as a study map; the chapter notes drop in over the coming weeks.
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Course outline
Unit 1 · Kinematics 运动学
Exam weight: 12-18%
1.1 — Position, Velocity, and Acceleration 位置、速度和加速度
· Displacement and distance · Average and instantaneous velocity · Definition of acceleration
1.2 — Representations of Motion 运动的表示
· Position-time graphs · Velocity-time graphs · Acceleration-time graphs · Slope and area of graphs
1.3 — Kinematic Equations for Constant Acceleration 匀变速运动方程
· Kinematic equations · Initial and final velocity · Calculating displacement
1.4 — Free Fall 自由落体
· Gravitational acceleration g · Vertical projectile motion · Symmetry
1.5 — Projectile Motion 抛体运动
· Independence of horizontal and vertical components · Launch angle · Range and maximum height
1.6 — Reference Frames and Relative Motion 参考系与相对运动
· Inertial reference frames · Relative velocity · Vector addition of velocities
Unit 2 · Forces and Translational Dynamics 力与平动动力学
Exam weight: 16-20%
2.1 — Newton's First Law and Inertia 牛顿第一定律与惯性
· Law of inertia · Equilibrium state · Inertia and mass
2.2 — Newton's Second Law 牛顿第二定律
· F = ma · Net force · Direction of acceleration
2.3 — Newton's Third Law 牛顿第三定律
· Action and reaction forces · Force pairs · Interactions
2.4 — Free-Body Diagrams 受力分析图
· Force diagrams · Resolving forces · Resultant force
2.5 — Friction 摩擦力
· Static friction · Kinetic friction · Coefficient of friction · Friction on inclines
2.6 — Circular Motion and Centripetal Force 圆周运动与向心力
· Centripetal acceleration · Centripetal force · Uniform circular motion · Vertical circular motion
2.7 — Applications of Newton's Laws 牛顿定律的应用
· Connected body problems · Pulley systems · Incline problems · Elevator problems
Unit 3 · Work, Energy, and Power 功、能量和功率
Exam weight: 12-18%
3.1 — Work Done by a Force 力做的功
· Definition of work · Positive and negative work · Work and angle
3.2 — The Work-Energy Theorem 动能定理
· Net work equals change in kinetic energy · Kinetic energy · Applications of the theorem
3.3 — Potential Energy 势能
· Gravitational potential energy · Elastic potential energy · Reference point for potential energy
3.4 — Conservation of Energy 能量守恒
· Conservation of mechanical energy · Conservative and non-conservative forces · Energy bar charts
3.5 — Power 功率
· Definition of power · Average power · Instantaneous power · P = Fv
Unit 4 · Linear Momentum 线动量
Exam weight: 12-18%
4.1 — Momentum and Impulse 动量与冲量
· Definition of momentum p = mv · Definition of impulse · Impulse-momentum theorem
4.2 — Conservation of Linear Momentum 线动量守恒
· Law of conservation of momentum · Internal and external forces · Choosing the system
4.3 — Elastic and Inelastic Collisions 弹性碰撞与非弹性碰撞
· Elastic collisions · Inelastic collisions · Perfectly inelastic collisions · Kinetic energy loss
4.4 — Collisions in Two Dimensions 二维碰撞
· Vector nature of momentum · Conservation of momentum in component form
4.5 — Center of Mass 质心
· Position of center of mass · Motion of center of mass · Velocity of center of mass
Unit 5 · Torque and Rotational Dynamics 力矩与转动动力学
Exam weight: 12-18%
5.1 — Torque 力矩
· Definition of torque · Moment arm · Direction of torque · Net torque
5.2 — Rotational Equilibrium 转动平衡
· Equilibrium conditions · Net torque equals zero · Static equilibrium
5.3 — Moment of Inertia 转动惯量
· Definition of moment of inertia · Moment of inertia for common shapes · Parallel axis theorem
5.4 — Newton's Second Law for Rotation 转动的牛顿第二定律
· Tau = I alpha · Angular acceleration · Analogy between rotation and translation
5.5 — Rotational Kinematics 转动运动学
· Angular displacement · Angular velocity · Angular acceleration · Rotational kinematic equations
Unit 6 · Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems 转动系统的能量和动量
Exam weight: 8-12%
6.1 — Rotational Kinetic Energy 转动动能
· Rotational kinetic energy formula · Total kinetic energy · Kinetic energy of rolling objects
6.2 — Angular Momentum 角动量
· Definition of angular momentum L = I omega · Relationship between angular momentum and torque
6.3 — Conservation of Angular Momentum 角动量守恒
· Conservation of angular momentum · Change in angular velocity · Figure skating example
6.4 — Rolling Motion 滚动运动
· Condition for pure rolling · Rolling down an incline · Connection between translation and rotation
Unit 7 · Oscillations 振动
Exam weight: 4-6%
7.1 — Simple Harmonic Motion 简谐运动
· Definition of simple harmonic motion · Restoring force · Amplitude · Displacement equation
7.2 — Spring-Mass Systems 弹簧-质量系统
· Hooke's Law · Period of a spring oscillator · Energy conversion
7.3 — Pendulums 摆
· Period of a simple pendulum · Small angle approximation · Factors affecting the period
7.4 — Period, Frequency, and Energy in SHM 简谐运动中的周期、频率和能量
· Relationship between period and frequency · Conservation of energy · Maximum velocity
Unit 8 · Fluids 流体
Exam weight: 4-6%
8.1 — Density and Pressure 密度和压强
· Definition of density · Definition of pressure · Pressure in fluids
8.2 — Pascal's Law 帕斯卡定律
· Statement of Pascal's Law · Hydraulic systems · Transmission of pressure
8.3 — Buoyancy and Archimedes' Principle 浮力与阿基米德原理
· Buoyancy · Archimedes' Principle · Conditions for floating and sinking
8.4 — Fluid Flow and Continuity 流体流动与连续性
· Ideal fluid · Continuity equation · Flow rate
8.5 — Bernoulli's Equation 伯努利方程
· Bernoulli's equation · Relationship between flow speed and pressure · Venturi effect